Re: physical vs. mental pain

[Guest guest]

--- I agree with . It can just come from plain low self esteem.

I got punished so much in school because of inattentiveness (I have

ADD), I started hitting myself at home when I felt I had done

something wrong. I know my face-slapping and head banging scared my

Mom. I was at a loss at the time to explain why. I hid most of the

hitting and humiliation done to me at school from her. The poor woman

was worried enough by my failing grades. She did one great thing for

me during this crappy time. With out fail she whould tell me that no

matter what anyone said . . . she KNEW I was smart. I did finally out

grow the head banging and self slapping. I do still fight the rare

impulse from time to time when my anxiety is high and I feel I am

failing at something.

However, I also think there is truth to the mental pain thing. Xan my

6 year old with OCD (that erupted fully [only small hints of it

before] for the first time a month ago,) banged his head on a wall

the first time he saw our psychiatrist. The head banging came in

response to the question " How do you feel when you keep thinking

about germs. " His frustration and fear was etched in every 'thump'--

before we rushed to stop him. Poor guy.

Anyway, take care

Lil

In @y..., w birkhan <birkhanw@y...> wrote:

> Marlys, in SC,

>

> I think you may be right here. Of course it would

> depend on other factors, but from what you describe,

> she may self-injure to 'feel' the pain.

>

> Other reasons that people self injure is to 'punish'

> themselves for something they may or may not have

> done. This could be ocd related - the compulsion.

>

> Sexual abuse may also be a factor for SOME people

> who self injure.

>

> take care, wendy, in canada

> ===================================================

> It seems clear to me that my daughter's self-injuring

> is an attempt to induce physical pain to lessen the

> emotional pain.... not an expert's opinion, just a

> mom...

> -Marlys in SC

>

> _______________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

:

I'm replying to your posting regarding awareness of OCD in the schools (I

accidentally " zapped " that posting). I have the 3 video series regarding

Children with OCD in the School from the OCF and " Teaching the Tiger " -- I

give these to 's new teachers to watch and review and f/u with them to

see if they have any questions. They say it is very helpful to them on

trying to understand OCD and how to teach a child with OCD. Currently,

Nebraska is actively re-vamping their State Mental Health programs,

facilities, public awareness, and family/youth support systems -- one of

their main goals is to have public school teachers learn of the warning

signs and the causes of OCD, where is originates in the brain, etc. We are

hoping this information will be presented at beginning of the year

workshops; they will be presented by Health and Human Services Department of

the State. I'm crossing my fingers this will all materialize within the

next year or so.

I'm hoping to get on the CHAT Sunday night -- it's 9:00 p.m. CT so it's

perfect time (after the boys are in bed -- whew!!)

Tamra

Re: physical vs. mental pain

> Marlys, in SC,

>

> I think you may be right here. Of course it would

> depend on other factors, but from what you describe,

> she may self-injure to 'feel' the pain.

>

> Other reasons that people self injure is to 'punish'

> themselves for something they may or may not have

> done. This could be ocd related - the compulsion.

>

> Sexual abuse may also be a factor for SOME people

> who self injure.

>

> take care, wendy, in canada

> ===================================================

> It seems clear to me that my daughter's self-injuring

> is an attempt to induce physical pain to lessen the

> emotional pain.... not an expert's opinion, just a

> mom...

> -Marlys in SC

>

> _______________________________________________________

>